Policy Adviser & Senior Policy Adviser

Position Title: Senior Policy Adviser & Policy Adviser - Aviation 

Team and Group:  Aviation, Policy

Position Type: Permanent, Full Time (38 hours per week)

Location: Wellington CBD

Salary: Adviser – $79,983 – $121,710 (+KiwiSaver) 

            Senior Adviser – $109,208 – $145,055 (+KiwiSaver)

About the opportunity | Ngā whakamārama mō te tūnga

Aviation is vital to New Zealand’s economic prosperity and way of life. It plays a key role in tourism, trade, conservation, agriculture, horticulture, and emergency response, connecting us both internationally and across the country. The Aviation team provides expert advice on domestic and international aviation policy.

We are looking for policy advisers and experienced senior policy advisers who are ready to join the aviation team. You will be working on aviation policy, including on innovative projects, within a collaborative and forward-looking environment. This is an exciting time for the sector, with the Government committed to growth and modernising the regulatory regime. If you are passionate about policy, we’d love to hear from you.

As our incoming Policy Adviser, you will be responsible for:

• Develop and maintain a good understanding of the principles and practices relating to transport policy
• Prepare policy advice on transport issues including Cabinet papers and briefs for the relevant Ministers, and comment on papers prepared by other agencies
• Conduct research relevant to transport
• Prepare or contribute to ministerial speeches, media statements and responses to parliamentary questions, and draft replies to ministerial and department correspondence
• Identify and analyse issues and trends, opportunities and problems relating to transport
• Develop policy advice, as far as possible, from conceptual stage through to Cabinet decision and legislation and implementation
• Support the passage of new legislation and its introduction in association with the Legal team
• Contribute to team and Ministry planning processes, and to the development of strategies and work programmes to enhance the overall effectiveness of the team and hence the professional standing of the Ministry of Transport
• Attend Cabinet Committees and Select Committees as required
• Represent the Ministry of Transport in a wide range of situations, including government agencies, transport sector and community groups

   

   

As our incoming Senior Policy Adviser, you will be responsible for:

• Scoping and planning policy projects in ambiguous and complex areas
• Providing high quality policy advice that meet the needs of the Minister communicating complex issues, using concepts clearly and succinctly
• Using appropriate project planning and management techniques, manage risks and coordinate work with others
• Contributing to multiple pieces of work concurrently and actively and independently planning and managing workload
• Providing guidance and on-the-job training and coaching to more junior team members
• Applying a range of advanced frameworks and methods of analysis to identify policy problems, analyse the issues, and identify and assess the policy options
• Critically synthesising information from a wide variety of domains to draw sound conclusions based on the judicious use of the available evidence
• Leading constructive engagement with some delivery agencies, stakeholders and government agencies to ensure the advice provided is practical and effective

 Based on the work or support that may be required, this position is Wellington based only. 

What you’ll bring | Te wāhi ki a koe

We're ideally seeking experienced advisers who bring demonstrated capability in end-to-end policy development with well-developed writing and numerical skills, however, if you're earlier in your career and have contributed to the following, we’d love to hear from you too:

Adviser:

• Experience in successfully contributing to the end-to-end process of policy development.
• Demonstrated capability in applying project management practices and principles and contributing to the successful delivery of projects.
• Experience and demonstrated capability in anticipating requirements to successfully prepare and complete written ministerial correspondence and briefings. Able to successfully interpret legislation.
• Experience and demonstrated capability in successfully building and maintaining effective working relationships and collaborating with others to achieve outcomes.
• Well-developed numerical ability, experience and demonstrated capability in successfully applying financial analytical concepts in various scenarios.
• Strong writing skills, experience and demonstrated capability in successfully interpreting and communicating effectively to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical skills experience and demonstrated capability in successfully applying analytical frameworks, including non-financial concepts.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.

Senior Adviser:

• Strong experience and demonstrated successful capability in policy development and analysis in the public sector with a solid understanding of government policy-making procedures, and good political nous.
• Strong experience and demonstrated successful capability and agility in end-to-end delivery of large, complex policy projects/programmes, while working under pressure and managing tight timelines.
• Strong knowledge, experience and demonstrated successful capability in the policy process and machinery of government, including understanding policy and regulatory frameworks, interpreting legislation, and knowledge about associated government institutions, across multiple portfolio areas.
• Strong experience and demonstrated capability in successfully building and maintaining effective working relationships at all levels, internally and externally, including collaborating with others to achieve outcomes, and influencing the agenda.
• Strong numerical ability, experience and demonstrated capability in successfully applying financial analytical concepts in various scenarios.
• Significant experience and demonstrated capability in successful communication (written and verbal) and influencing skills. Uses a range of oral, written and visual mediums to communicate effectively to diverse audiences and situations
• Significant analytical and critical thinking skills, experience and demonstrated capability in successfully applying analytical frameworks to draw sound conclusions and make appropriate decisions.
• Significant experience and demonstrated successful capability in effectively building the capability of others, including the provision of guidance, coaching, and on-the-job training to less experienced people.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.

   

   

This is an excellent opportunity to draw on your previous relevant experiences and contribute to making positive improvements that will have a positive impact on the wider Ministry and our mahi across Aotearoa.

Salary range | Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau

The base salary range for each position is Policy Adviser $79,983 – $121,710 per annum + KiwiSaver. Senior Policy Adviser $109,208 – $145,055 (mid-point 120,878) per annum + KiwiSaver. The salary offered will reflect relevant skills and experience.

About the Ministry of Transport | He kupu mō mātou Te Manatū Waka

The Ministry of Transport is an impartial, expert and trusted adviser to government, shaping transport for New Zealand. We work to deliver a well-functioning transport system that helps grow New Zealand’s economy and productivity.

At the Ministry of Transport, we have approximately 230 staff and pride ourselves on being a small, agile, and high performing Ministry. The Ministry’s values are integrity, excellence, and collaboration. 

What we offer | Te wāhi ki a mātou

This a great opportunity to contribute to open government and public trust, be part of a collaborative team and a ministry with strong values (Integrity, Excellence and Collaboration).

We’re confident you’ll also get a lot from our high trust, high respect environment. This is a place where you can roll your sleeves up and really deliver at pace, working both independently and collaboratively. and You’ll also have the chance to utilise your skills and experience to be part of embedding a new way of working.

Our employees enjoy a range of employee benefits including Ministry leave, wellbeing and volunteer days as well as a welcoming range of employee networks.

Join us and be a part of our passionate Ministry, shaping the future of transportation in New Zealand. 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tono mai

To view the job description, or apply online, click Apply. Please include a CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience. The job descriptions can be found as one attachment.

To apply for this role, you must have right to live and work in New Zealand. You will need to be based in Wellington or ready to relocate. Other locations will not be considered.

Applications close midnight, Tuesday 27 January 2026.

For further information or to speak confidentially, please contact Acting Aviation Manager, Carolina Durrant at c.durrant@transport.govt.nz.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, orientations, and identities. We aim to have a Ministry that represents the wider Aotearoa that we serve. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels relevant, valued, supported and a sense of belonging.

For any support or accessibility needs during our recruitment process, please contact us at applications@transport.govt.nz

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies to fill this vacancy and unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.